Row marker safety mechanism

ABSTRACT

A planter row marker includes a safety mechanism for preventing damage during marking operations to the marker arm and supporting structure in case the marker tool or outer portions of the arm should strike a relatively immovable object. The safety mechanism includes a rod which has one end reciprocably received in the bight portion of a spring clevis and a spring pressure nut at the end of the rod holds a compression spring between the nut and the bight of the clevis. The safety mechanism is adapted for use with either nonfolding or folding markers and in the case of the former, the opposite ends of the safety mechanism are pivotally connected to the planter frame and an intermediate point along the marker arm and in the case of the latter, the opposite ends of the safety mechanism are pivotally connected to the inner and outer arms of the foldable arm assembly. The rod of the safety mechanism includes two parts interconnected by a shear pin and should the load on the compression spring reach a predetermined value, the shear pin will break permitting outer sections of the nonfolding and folding marker arms to pivot rearwardly relative to inner arm sections.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Donald R. Hartwig Rock Island; Harold Valentine Hansen, Cordova, both of ill. [2]] Appl. No. 869,311 [22] Filed Oct. 24, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 14, 1971 [73] Assignee Deere & Company Molina, Ill.

154] ROW MARKER SAFETY MECHANISM 13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. CI 172/126, 172/271, 172/705 [51] lnt.Cl A0lh35/32, A0 1 b 61/00 [50] Field of Search 172/126-132, 271,705, 261,264, 265; 111/33' [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 985,643 2/1911 Turner 172/129 1,546,759 7/1925 Silver 287/67 2,362,693 11/1944 Haas 172/130 2,850,958 9/1958 Robinson 172/127 2,956,629 10/1960 lmmesote 2,962,103 11/1960 Hansen ABSTRACT: A planter row marker includes a safety mechanism for preventing damage during marking operations to the marker arm and supporting structure in case the marker tool or outer portions of the arm should strike a relatively immovable object. The safety mechanism includes a rod which has one end reciprocr bly received in the bight portion of a spring clevis and a spring pressure out at the end of the rod holds a compression spring between the nut and the bight of the clevis. The safety mechanism is adapted for use with either nonfolding or folding markers and in the case of the former, the opposite ends of the safety mechanism are pivotally connected to the planter frame and an intermediate point along the marker arm and in the case of the latter, the opposite ends of the safety mechanism are pivotally connected to the inner and outer arms of the foldable arm assembly. The rod of the safety mechanism includes two parts interconnected by a shear pin and should the load on the compression spring reach a predetermined value, the shear pin will break permitting outer sections of the nonfolding and folding marker arms to pivot rearwardly relative to inner arm sections.

Patented Dec. 14, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS DONALD R. HARTWIG HAROLD V. HANSEN Patented Dec. 14, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS DONALD R. HARTWIG HAROLD y. HANSEN ROW MARKER SAFETY MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a planter marker and more specifically relates to a safety mechanism for preventing damage to a marker arm should the marker tool or outer arm portion engage a relatively immovable obstacle.

Markers are normally mounted in pairs, one each being mounted at opposite sides of an implement frame. The markers are usually mounted for vertical swinging movement between a lower or working position and an upper or transport position and marker-positioning mechanisms are usually provided for alternately raising and lowering the markers. Since it is desirable to expend as little energy, mechanical or manual, as possible to operate the markers, the marker arms are generally constructed of light rods and tubes or the like. Marker arms so constructed are subject to damage when the marker tool or outer arm portions engage a relatively immovable obstacle in the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, it is an important object to provide a safety mechanism for preventing damage to a marker arm should the marker tool or the arm portions strike a relatively immovable obstacle in the field.

More specifically, it is an object to provide a strutlike safety mechanism for maintaining the marker arm in a generally laterally outward position when the marker arm is in its working position, the safety member including a compressible cushion spring.

A further object is to provide the marker arm with a pivot connection permitting rearward horizontal pivoting of the marker arm when it is in its working position and to provide the safety mechanism with a shear pin connection that will, when sheared, permit the marker arm to swing rearwardly about the pivot connection.

Still a further object is to provide a concavo-convex disk as a marker tool and to mount the disk with the convex side facing inwardly so as to present a curved surface to any obstacles encountered.

Another object is to provide a lightweight marker of simple construction which is not subject to damage due to the marker tool or outer marker portions engaging an obstacle.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following description and markers drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view ofa planter having nonfoldable row markers constructed according to the present invention, the markers being shown in their raised or nonworking positions.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the right marker shown in FIG. 11, in its lowered or working position.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the end of the safety mechanism that is connected to the marker arm.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view ofthe end of the marker arm that is secured to the planter frame.

FIG. Sis a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a modification of the safety mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the safety mechanism as used with a foldable marker, the marker being in its lowered or working position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. I, there is shown a six-row planter designated in its entirety by the numeral 18. The planter has a transverse frame 12 with generally triangular ends 14, which frame is supported on ground wheels 16. Mounted atop the forward side of the frame are a pair of fertilizer hoppers l8 and connected in trailing relationship to the frame are laterally spaced planter units 20 each of which includes from front to rear seed, insecticide and herbicide hoppers 22, 24,

and 26 respectively. Identical nonfoldable markers 28 and 30 are respectively at the right and left ends of the frame 12 and each have arms 34 pivotally attached by means of fore-and-aft extending pivot pins 36 to brackets 38 carried on the outer sides of the frame ends 14, only the right pin and bracket being shown. A concavo-convex disk marker tool 40 is rotatably mounted at the outer ends of each of the arms 34 and strutlike safety mechanism 42 are interconnected between the frame ends I4 at a point forwardly of the brackets 38 and an intermediate point along the arms 34 and normally act to restrain the arms from moving rearwardly due to the resistance between the earth and the marker disks. A pair of one-way hydraulic cylinders 44 are mounted between each bracket 38 and arm 34 and are operative to selectively swing the marker arms between working (FIG. 2) and nonworking (FIG. 11) positions.

Inasmuch as the right and left markers and their connections to the planter frame are identical, it is thought that illustration and description of the right marker 28 is sufficient for an understanding of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the disk marker tool 40 is mounted with the convex side facing inwardly. This is advantageous in protecting the marker arm 34 from damage since the convex surface acts to lift the disk over obstacles that it engages. The safety mechanism 42 cooperates to protect the marker arm and includes a spring clevis 46 having opposite legs 48 pivotally connected to the marker arm by means of a pin 50. A support rod 52 extends from the clevis 46 to the frame end 14 and includes a first rod section 54 reciprocably received in the bight 56 of the clevis and a spring pressure nut 58 is threaded on the outer end of the first rod section and engages one end of a compression spring 60, the other end of the spring engaging the bight 56. A tubular connector 62 is connected to the inner end of first rod section 54 by means of a cotter pin 64 and the outer end of a second rod section 66 is threadedly received in the connector. The inner end of the second rod section terminates in an offset portion 68 which is received in an apertured ear 70. Thus, it will be appreciated that the spring 60 will be compressed when the marker tool or arm encounters an obstacle and acts to cushion the marker.

The marker arm 34 includes an inner rearwardly opening channel section 72 and an outer tubular section 74. The tubular section is pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 76 adjacent the inner end of the channel section and the pin extends generally vertically when the marker is in the working position. Normally, the safety mechanism 42 permits only limited rearward swinging of the tubular arm section about the pivot pin 76, however, when the marker arm or tool encounters a predetermined resistive force, the cotter pin 64 will shear, permitting the tubular arm section 74 to freely swing rearwardly about the pivot 76.

A slight modification of the safety mechanism 42 is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein is shown a safety mechanism 77 that is reversed end for end as compared to the safety mechanism 42. The safety mechanism 77 includes va spring cage 78 having opposite sides 80 interconnected by cage inner and outer ends 82 and 84. The inner end 82 threadingly receives the shank of apertured ear 70 car- I a hook 86, which hook is received in the ried by the frame end 14. A first rod section 87 is reciprocably received in the cage outer end 84 and the pressure nut 58 holds the compression spring 60 encircled about the rod section 87 and in engagement with the cage outer end 84. The first rod section 87 is received in the inner end of a tubular second rod section 88 and is secured therein by the cotter pin 64. The second rod section 88 has a clevis 90 at its outer end connected by means of the pin 50 to the: marker arm 34.

A foldable row marker 92 is shown in FIG. 6 wherein structure common to that described above :is given like reference numerals. FOldable markers find application with planters which are wider than the planter ((FIG. ll) and the row marker 92 would, for example, be used with a twelve-row planter. The row marker 92 includes a marker arm assembly 94 that includes inner and outer arms 96 and 98. The inner end of the inner arm 96 is pivotally connected to the bracket 38 and a fore-and-aft extending tubular cross member 100 is fixed adjacent to the outer end of the inner arm. THe outer arm includes first and second sections 102 and 104, the first section including a pair of spaced vertical triangular plates I06 which are pivotally mounted on the forward end of the cross member 100 and which straddle and are fixed to a rearwardly opening channel member 108. The outer arm is pivotally connected to the channel member 108 for horizontal swinging movement when the arm assembly 94 is in the working position (FIG. 6) and a safety mechanism 110 similar in most respects to the safety mechanism 42 described above is connected between the forward end of the cross member 100 and the outer arm section 104. The inner arm is stabilized in the working position by means of a strutlike rod 112 which is connected between the forward end of the cross member 100 and an apertured ear 114 on the frame end 14. THe outer arm 98 is stabilized when being raised from the working position (FlG. 6) to a nonworking position (not shown) by a chain 116 which is interconnected between the upper portion of the bracket 38 and a connection means (not shown) located in the upper portion of the triangular plates 106.

The operation of the safety mechanisms 42 and 110 is essentially the same and only the operation of the nonfoldable row markers is set forth. Assuming that the planter 10 is in a field to be planted and that the unplanted portion of the field is to the right of the planter, the right marker 28 will be placed in operation by exhausting fluid from the hydraulic cylinder 44 permitting the arm 34 to lower until the marker disk 40 is in contact with the ground. The planter is then propelled across the field by a tractor (not shown). If, while traversing the field, the disk 40 should contact a relatively small obstacle, the concave surface of the disk will ride over the obstacle and raise the marker arm about the pivot pin 36, the rearward component of the force exerted by the obstacle being absorbed by the compression spring 60 of the safety mechanism 42. However, should the disk 40 either engage a relatively immovable object in such a manner that it cannot easily ride over the obstacle or should the outer section of the marker arm contact an obstacle and the rearward component of the force exerted by the obstacle is such that it cannot be effectively absorbed by the compression spring 60, the cotter pin 64 will shear and permit the outer marker arm section 74 to pivot rearwardly about the pivot pin connection 76, thus preventing damage to the marker 28. it is to be noted that the reversed safety mechanism illustrated in FIG. 3 increases the effectiveness of the safety mechanism since it ensures that the cotter pin 64 will shear even if obstacles are encountered at locations inwardly from the connection of the safety mechanism with the marker arm 34.

We claim:

1. An implement having a transverse frame, an elongate marker means mounted at one end of the frame for vertical swinging movement between an outwardly extended working position and an upwardly extended transport position, marker control means operatively connected to said frame and marker means for swinging the latter between its working and transport positions, said marker means including a marker arm having inner and outer sections, means connecting the outer section to the inner section for generally rearward horizontal swinging movement of the outer section relative to the inner section when the marker means is in its working position, a marking tool carried by the outer section, an elongate resilient means mounted between one of the frame and inner arm section and the outer section of the arm for maintaining the latter in general longitudinal alignment with the inner section and for cushioning the arm in the event that the marker tool or outer arm section strikes an obstacle, said resilient means including a pair of separable members joined by frangible means for breaking in response to a predeter' mined force and thus releasing the outer section for rearward pivoting.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the frangible means is a shear pin.

3. Tile invention defined in claim 1 wherein the bias means has one end pivotally connected to the frame forwardly of the marker arm and includes a support rod, a U-shaped spring clevis and a compression spring, the support rod having one end reciprocably received in the web of the clevis and carrying a stop means, the compression spring acting between the stop means and the web of the clevis and the other end of the rod and the legs of the clevis being respectively pivotally connected to one or the other of the implement frame and the outer arm section.

4, The invention defined in claim 3 wherein the support rod includes a pair of sections, which constitute said separable members and have their ends connected bysaid frangible means.

5. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein the support rod includes a pair of sections, one being tubular and having one end of the other section received therein to form a joint and wherein said frangible means is a shear pin extending through said joint.

6. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the marker tool is a concavo-convex disk and the convex side faces inwardly whereby the disk will tend to ride over obstacles which it might encounter.

7. A markercomprising a marker tool supporting arm having at least one inner and one outer portion, the inner portion including means adapted for connection to one side of an implement frame for vertical swinging of the arm between a lower outwardly extended position and an upper upwardly extended position, means pivotally interconnecting the inner and outer arm portions for rearward horizontal pivoting of the outer portion relative to the inner portion when the arm is in its lower position, a marker tool mounted on the outer arm position, an elongate arm support means having one end adapted for connection to an implement frame and the other end connected to the outer arm section, said support means including resilient compressible means for permitting limited rearward horizontal pivoting of the marker arm upon engagement of the marker tool with an obstacle and said arm support means including first and second sections interconnected by a shear pin whereby a predetermined load acting on the marker arm will shear permitting the outer portion of the arm to pivot rearwardly.

8. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the arm support means is adapted for connection to an implement frame forwardly of and generally in the same horizontal plane as the connection ofthe marker arm with the implement frame.

9. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein one of the arm portions is tubular and has one end of the other portion received therein to form ajoint and wherein said shear pin extends through the joint.

10. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the marker tool is a concave-convex disk and the convex side faces inwardly whereby the disk will tend to ride over obstacles which it encounters.

11. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the resilient compressible means includes a U-shaped spring clevis and a compression spring and wherein the arm support means includes a support rod having one end reciprocably received in the web of the clevis and carrying a stop means, the compression spring acting between the stop means and the web of the clevis and the other end of the rod and the legs of the clevis being respectively pivotally connected to one or the other of the implement frame and the outer marker arm section.

12. An implement having a transverse frame, an elongate marker means mounted at one end of the frame for vertical swinging movement between an outwardly extended working position and an upwardly extended transport position, marker control means operatively connected to said frame and marker means for swinging the latter between said working and transport positions, said marker means including a marker arm having inner and outer sections, means connecting the outer section to the inner section for generally rearwardswinging movement of the outer section relative to the inner section when the marker means is in said working position, a

the outer section for maintaining the latter in general longitudinal alignment with the inner section.

13. The invention defined in claim 12 wherein one of the pair of sections is tubular and has one end of the other section received therein to form a joint and a shear pin extending through said joint.

l0lOl4 0197 UNITED STATES PATENT oTTTtT CERTIFICATE @F @GREUNN Patent No. 3,627,057 Dated 14 December 1971 lnventofls) Donald R. Hartwig and Harold Valentine Hansen It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 1, change "THe" to the change "bias" to resilient line 33, change "position" to portion Signed and sealed this 20th day of June 1972.

(SEAL) attest:

EDWARD MoFLETGHER, JR. ROBERT GOTI'SCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 50376-P69 U.S, GOVERNMENT FRlNTlNG OFFICE I I969 O-366334 FORM Po 1050 (10-69) 

1. An implement having a transverse frame, an elongate marker means mounted at one end of the frame for vertical swinging movement between an outwardly extended working position and an upwardly extended transport position, marker control means operatively connected to said frame and marker means for swinging the latter between its working and transport positions, said marker means including a marker arm having inner and outer sections, means connecting the outer section to the inner section for generally rearward horizontal swinging movement of the outer section relative to the inner section when the marker means is in its working position, a marking tool carried by the outer section, an elongate resilient means mounted between one of the frame and inner arm section and the outer section of the arm for maintaining the latter in general longitudinal alignment with the inner section and for cushioning the arm in the event that the marker tool or outer arm section strikes an obstacle, said resilient means including a pair of separable members joined by frangible means for breaking in response to a predetermined force and thus releasing the outer section for rearward pivoting.
 2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the frangible means is a shear pin.
 3. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the bias means has one end pivotally connected to the frame forwardly of the marker arm and includes a support rod, a U-shaped spring clevis and a compression spring, the support rod having one end reciprocably received in the web of the clevis and carrying a stop means, the compression spring acting between the stop means and the web of the clevis and the other end of the rod and the legs of the clevis being respectively pivotally connected to one or the other of the implement frame and the outer arm section.
 4. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein the support rod includes a pair of sections, which constitute said separable members and have their ends connected by said frangible means.
 5. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein the support rod includes a pair of sections, one being tubular and having one end of the other section received therein to form a joint and wherein said frangible means is a shear pin extending through said joint.
 6. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the marker tool is a concavo-convex disk and the convex side faces inwardly whereby the disk will tend to ride over obstacles which it might encounter.
 7. A marker comprising a marker tool supporting arm having at least one inner and one outer portion, the inner portion including means adapted for connection to one side of an implement frame for vertical swinging of the arm between a lower outwardly extended position and an upper upwardly extended position, means pivotally interconnecting the inner and outer arm portions for rearward horizontal pivoting of the outer portion relative to the inner portion when the arm is in its lower position, a marker tool mounted on the outer arm position, an elongate arm support means having one end adapted for connection to an implement frame and the other end connected to the outer arm section, said support means including resilient compressible means for permitting limIted rearward horizontal pivoting of the marker arm upon engagement of the marker tool with an obstacle and said arm support means including first and second sections interconnected by a shear pin whereby a predetermined load acting on the marker arm will shear permitting the outer portion of the arm to pivot rearwardly.
 8. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the arm support means is adapted for connection to an implement frame forwardly of and generally in the same horizontal plane as the connection of the marker arm with the implement frame.
 9. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein one of the arm portions is tubular and has one end of the other portion received therein to form a joint and wherein said shear pin extends through the joint.
 10. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the marker tool is a concavo-convex disk and the convex side faces inwardly whereby the disk will tend to ride over obstacles which it encounters.
 11. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the resilient compressible means includes a U-shaped spring clevis and a compression spring and wherein the arm support means includes a support rod having one end reciprocably received in the web of the clevis and carrying a stop means, the compression spring acting between the stop means and the web of the clevis and the other end of the rod and the legs of the clevis being respectively pivotally connected to one or the other of the implement frame and the outer marker arm section.
 12. An implement having a transverse frame, an elongate marker means mounted at one end of the frame for vertical swinging movement between an outwardly extended working position and an upwardly extended transport position, marker control means operatively connected to said frame and marker means for swinging the latter between said working and transport positions, said marker means including a marker arm having inner and outer sections, means connecting the outer section to the inner section for generally rearward swinging movement of the outer section relative to the inner section when the marker means is in said working position, a marking tool carried by the outer section, an elongate resilient means including a support rod, a spring holder having opposite legs joined by a web, and a compression spring, said rod having one end reciprocably received in said web and carrying a stop means, the spring acting between the stop means and the web and the other end of the rod and the legs of the holder being respectively pivotally connected to one of the frame and the outer section for maintaining the latter in general longitudinal alignment with the inner section.
 13. The invention defined in claim 12 wherein one of the pair of sections is tubular and has one end of the other section received therein to form a joint and a shear pin extending through said joint. 